Page 95 of Hard Rock Sin

The second time, I'd almost drowned in the pool.

But this time, I was able to calm myself down. I was able to get the fear under control.

Maybe I wasn't as helpless as I'd begun to think I was. Maybe I could learn to work through the fear and anxiety.

Cameron still had his arms wrapped around me.

"I'm fine," I repeated. "You can let me go."

Cameron pulled back a few inches, still keeping his arms around me. He examined me closely as he crouched in front of me.

"You're really pale," he noted. "And your hands are clammy." He gave me a concerned look. "Are you sure you don't want to see someone about this?"

"I had a bit of a scare," I admitted. "But I'm okay."

Cameron looked doubtful. "You can tell me if you're not."

"I know. But I managed to calm myself down this time. I think I'm getting better at handling it."

My heart lifted a little as I said the words. I really did feel better. My breathing was steady, my heart no longer pounding.

Cameron pulled me to my feet. He brushed the dirt from the pavement off my skirt. I thought he might take the opportunity to cop a feel, but he didn't. He just looked at me carefully.

"I want you to feel safe," he said.

"I do, most of the time."

"Remember what I said before? You can always come to me when you're scared or afraid. I'll always be here."

That was true only as long as I lived at Cameron's. Once I moved out…

A dozen different emotions ran through me at the thought. Excitement at finally being free. A still lingering worry that I might not be able to handle being on my own. Sadness at leaving Cameron.

He must have seen the bevy of expressions cross my face.

"What are you thinking?" he asked.

I spoke the next words quietly, fearing his reaction.

"What happens when I move out?"

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Cameron looked taken aback.

"Why would you move out?"

"To live in the dorms," I reminded him. "This is only supposed to be temporary."

"It was only temporary as long as you were just Noah's sister." Cameron gave me a soft, teasing smile. "Did you think I was going to kick you out?"

"No, but… don't you want your place back to yourself?"

Cameron laughed. "I have eighteen bedrooms, remember? If I wanted space, I'd find it." He tugged me against his side. "You can't get rid of me that easily. You're mine."

I threw myself at him, clinging to him.

"I love you," I blurted out desperately.